LAS VEGAS, NV --- Larry Woods did it. Did it to all of us. For the past three decades, Woods has designed some of the hottest rods, super cars and exotics ever made; his cars have arguably been the source of inspiration for generations of gear heads and race car drivers. Most little boys and girls dreamed of the day they could drive one of his creations. Such a shame that they are only one inch tall.
It would be a perfect world if Larry’s creations were allowed to roam on real highways, instead of the looping tracks and speedways in the Hot Wheels world. As it is, however, we will have to be content with the toy version of Woods’ automotive masterpieces. Known to most as “Mr. Hot Wheels”, Woods was honored at this year’s 2004 SEMA Show for his years of service. “I definitely think that Barbie is a ‘Vette kind of girl,” said Woods. “She’s a material girl. She’d very much be into sports cars – and she’s all-American.” Woods would know. He has made a career out of designing the cars that make Barbies sigh -- and that get us playing and dreaming about cars and all things automotive. SEMA is the proof. And once a year, the automotive world – including Woods, and more than a few Barbies -- come together in the town that never stops playing, and turn it into the world's biggest automotive playground. From ultra-hot Ford Mustangs and drag race-ready Chevy Cobalts to the new Honda Ridgeline truck, the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has become more than a gear head's dream-come-true. With increased automaker involvement, it is now a complete celebration of American car culture. That's big praise, to be sure. But consider - we Americans mess with our cars more than any one else. SEMA is the place to be, then, for every rebuilder and customizer standing outside his or her garage and dreaming of a Sunday cruise. It's our chance to show the Fords and GMs, the Hondas, Chryslers, and others what we do to their cars after we drive 'em off the lot. And oh boy -- the things we do at times can turn cars into stars. Celebrities, after all, are cool -- as long as they like cars. And this year, the major automakers turned to famous people of differing types to sing the praises and drive the creations built to inspire the world of aftermarket businesses – the custom shops and super performance outfits that add the glitter to the real stars in the car world. If there is a car world, SEMA is the galaxy. And the galaxy is getting bigger and brighter every year.
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